The next morning, after Rosalie and Justin woke up, they noticed Theodore was nowhere to be found. Not knowing where he had gone, Rosalie asked the butler and learned that he had left early in the morning.Rosalie knew Theodore was avoiding them, but she didn't press the issue.She still had to go to work. After having breakfast with Justin, she bid farewell to Steve."Dear, even though Mommy can't live with you anymore, I'll come to see you often. Your daddy will take good care of you, and in three months, you'll come live with Mommy."Rosalie held Steve, tears streaming down her face. She simply couldn't bear to leave. She kissed his cheek and held him tightly. "I'm sorry, Steve. I'm really sorry."Steve looked at his mother with confusion, seemingly unaware of what was happening, but he raised his little hand to wipe away the tears from her face."Mama, no cry," Steve said, his words still unclear, but he knew exactly what he was doing and saying.Rosalie was heartbroken. She grasp
Justin drove to Rosalie's office to fetch her before she knocked off.He drove very carefully and slowly, doing all he could to prevent any accidents.Justin suddenly noticed a car following behind him.Whenever he turned a corner, the car would do the same. Whenever he slowed down, the car would slow down, too.Justin started tensing up. He furrowed his brows and tightened his hold over the steering wheel.Just then, the car turned a corner and drove into another road, disappearing into the sea of cars.Justin started to relax.Perhaps he was overthinking things. He kept having this feeling that someone was following him.He felt the same way in the cafe and on the road.Perhaps it was an occupational hazard due to who he was. He always felt as though everyone around him was an enemy, and his guard would be up with any slight movement.Now that he was in Blencalgo with Rosalie, he couldn't be living in the past. He had to become an ordinary man.After work, Rosalie left the
When they returned to the house, Rosalie felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity. Although she initially didn't want to move back, she no longer feared the place because Justin was here with her.The thought of how she used to live with Steve here, and he was no longer around but with Theodore, made her so sad she wanted to cry.She and her child were clearly in the same city. She could, by right, visit him anytime she wanted. However, she couldn't rid herself of the disappointment she was feeling without Steve by her side. He was her biological child, her flesh and blood. As his mother, how could she not miss him? Sensing Rosalie's sorrow, Justin hugged her tight. "What's the matter? Are you not happy?""No, I just miss Steve. Steve lived here with me and his cot is still in my room. It makes me think of him.""I'll help you keep the cot, alright? We'll take it out when Steve comes back here. Otherwise, you'll get upset each time you see it."Rosalie nodded. "Okay."Justin
After dinner was ready, Justin served all the dishes on the table."Rose, dinner is ready. Why are you sitting there spacing out?"Rosalie snapped back to attention and jumped up from the couch. She ran to Justin and sang him praises, "You're such a good cook!"She hugged Justin's waist, tip-toed, and kissed his cheek.Justin looked down and kissed her forehead. "What's the matter? Not eating?""No, I just suddenly want to hug you," Rosalie said as she released him and sat at the table. She felt exceptionally happy as she took in the fragrance of the food.Justin sat down and put some food on Rosalie's plate. "Eat more.""Justin," Rosalie said as she looked up at him, her eyes glistening and voice dripping with honey."What is it?" Justin asked."Let's pick a date to get married."Justin put his spoon down. "What date do you have in mind?""Let me check the calendar. Wait for me." Rosalie pulled her phone out of her pocket.She realized that there was only one good date two
After dinner, Rosalie relaxed on the couch with Justin.She leaned into his embrace as they watched a movie. By the time they were done, the sky had turned dark.Rosalie looked up at Justin's side profile and lifted her fingers to caress his chin.Justin looked down and asked, "What is it?" This girl was getting cheeky."Justin, let's head out for some fresh air.""Sure."The movie had ended, and Justin closed his laptop and put it aside. He hugged Rosalie tight and said, "Darling, should I do a princess carry, or would you prefer a piggyback?""I want a piggyback," Rosalie said coquettishly."No problem," Justin said as he crouched down low. "Come on up."Rosalie hopped onto his back gleefully.Justin piggybacked Rosalie and took the elevator down to the neighborhood park where they had a lovely stroll. The view at the park was beautiful and there were quite a few people out and about, too. Some were walking their dogs, some were playing with their children and everyone
It was getting late, and Rosalie and Justin walked home hand in hand.She suddenly felt mildly disappointed. Steve wasn't with her, and she really wanted to hug him."Rose, do you want to shower and turn in for the night?"Rosalie nodded. They exchanged glances, as though they both had something to say.Justin could sense her hesitation and said, "I can sleep in the room next door."Rosalie mustered up the courage to say, "Let's sleep together. You don't need to sleep in another room."They were already officially an item. Why was there a need for them to sleep separately?Rosalie gently tugged at Justin's sleeve. "I'm going to take a shower. You should, too."There were two washrooms in the apartment, one in Rosalie's room and another outside."Sure." Justin caressed her head and turned to leave.Rosalie grabbed her pajamas and headed to the shower. She felt the warm water trickle down her body as she rinsed her face and torso clean.She looked down at the stretch marks on
Rosalie lowered her head, looking visibly upset. Justin put an arm around her shoulder, sensing her unease."Missing Steve? I can send you to him if you really can't take it any longer."Rosalie shook her head. "No. I do miss him, but he's already asleep and I'll only disturb his rest by going right now. I know he's very well taken care of. I just feel that…""What?" Justin asked.Rosalie turned to look tearfully at him. "I just think that perhaps Steve doesn't really need me, and that he can sleep and eat well even without me around."She leaned into Justin's embrace. "Is it bad of me to think like that? As if I'm a bad mother… I don't want my child to cry and fuss without me around, but I feel upset now that he's not crying or fussing at all.""Rose, you're not to blame," Justin said as he gently patted her back. He comforted her, "This is all very normal. As a mother, loving your child is instinctive. This is just the beginning. You don't need to worry. You'll feel better af
After a few days, Rosalie managed to adapt to life away from her son and gradually calmed down.She would video-call him every night so that she could still catch a glimpse of him.Rosalie set her mind to slowly drop the frequency to once every two days and then once every three days.This Saturday, Rosalie woke up early in the morning. Justin was still asleep. She didn't want to wake him up, so she quietly got up, washed herself up, and got dressed.Justin felt a strong sense of security with Rosalie around and wasn't so sensitive. He didn't even realize it when Rosalie got out of bed and was only awakened by the slight sounds she made when she came out of the washroom, all dressed and ready."Rose, you don't need to go to work today. Why are you up so early? Come here and sleep a little more.""Justin, I want to go visit Steve."Justin sat up on the bed. "You want to go right now?"Rosalie nodded."Yeah, it's not early anymore and I want to go see him. I miss him."Rosalie
Theodore wrapped all of them up in his long arms.Under the golden sunshine, the family of four was wrapped up in each other's embraces. Sunlight shone on them, encasing them in a warm, golden glow. Everything felt calm and peaceful. The children snuggled in their parents' arms, innocent smiles lighting up their faces. They could feel the warmth of the sunshine as they found the safest and warmest haven in the entire world in their arms.In the evening sun and gentle breeze, they finally found happiness in each other's embrace.-In the deep of the night, Rosalie had a dream.Both Justin and Grandma came to her in her dream.Grandma and Justin were playing cards, surrounded by beautiful birds and flowers. They seemed to be in heaven, having the time of their lives with a look of tender love in their eyes.Grandma was very happy that she had reconciled with Theodore.Justin told Rosalie, "Rose, I'm so happy to see you happy.""Justin, do you hate me?""Silly girl, why would
Theodore made Rosalie feel like love was possible once more, and gradually opened her up.Love was ever-changing with time and the experiences they went through.Rosalie missed Justin dearly, but she also learned to treasure the people around her and every present moment of happiness. She learned how to accept the past and treasure the present amidst all her relationships.Justin would be her one and only in her heart, but Theodore also found his place in her heart amidst the unique position Justin was in.This was how their affections and love for each other grew and changed with time.Justin was dead, and Rosalie couldn't keep living in the past. She would carefully preserve her love for Justin in a corner of her heart.She would spend the rest of her life loving Theodore and their children."Chelsea," Rosalie said as she pulled Chelsea over. "Your daddy loves you very much, but he didn't get to see you come into this world. But you must remember his name. He is Justin Lynch."
Theodore and Rosalie brought both children to Justin's tomb.Before they left, Rosalie said that she and Chelsea wanted to spend some time alone with Justin.Theodore brought Jake to the car to wait for them.Golden sunlight shone on the land, feeling warm and toasty and giving the earth a beautiful glow.Rosalie caressed the tombstone. "Justin, I'm sorry for not coming to visit for such a long time."The last time she came back was a few months ago, during which she snuck a peak at his tombstone.Rosalie pulled out a bone fragment. "That's because you're always by my side, which is why I think that I can bring you everywhere I go. You're not just here at this tombstone."Justin, Theo and I have reconciled. He did so much for me, even sacrificing his own life for me. I can't just stand idly by and do nothing about it. I can't bring myself to reject him ruthlessly again and again."You can say that I'm moved, or that I fell in love with him once more. He's just too good, and I c
Jake had so much fun today and was exhausted by the time he reached home. After his shower, he crawled into bed and fell right asleep without any coaxing whatsoever. Jake would sometimes sleep in the bedroom with Chelsea, and sometimes they slept separately.At night, when Rosalie went to Chelsea's room to tuck her in and tell her a bedtime story, she asked, "Chelsea, how was your day with Theodore?""Hmm, it was alright," Chelsea said. "But Mr. Spencer was so silly, he burnt the food. I only got to eat lunch very late.""Is that so?" Rosalie burst out laughing. "How silly of him indeed.""But Mr. Spencer is quite nice," Chelsea said. "I like him. He said that I can call him Daddy."Rosalie's eyes lit up. "Do you want to call him that?""I do," Chelsea said with a nod, "but I'll do that tomorrow."Chelsea yawned. She felt tired, too.Rosalie caressed her cheek. "Goodnight, my darling. Go to sleep."-Rosalie returned to her room, took a shower, and laid on the bed. Theodo
Their parent-child bonding efforts officially began the next day.Rosalie brought Jake to the theme park. In the beginning, Jake felt rather stiff and reserved. It was his first time alone with his mom, after all.As time went by, Rosalie's earnestness, concern, and gentle patience with him slowly opened him up.They sat on the carousel, drove the bumper cars, rode on the Viking ship, zoomed down slides, bounced on the trampolines, and sailed on mini-boats. They had a whale of a time.Jake was covered with sweat, but he was so happy, he didn't want the day to end.He had grown closer to his mom, so much so that he would jump into her arms, hugging her and asking for kisses.Rosalie did not hold back from expressing her love for him and even carried him on her back as they continued exploring the park.Jake was very obedient and came down very soon, for fear that Rosalie might get tired. They moved on to the next attraction hand-in-hand.Rosalie found out one thing from Jake, wh
Some time later, Rosalie realized that Jake was being rather sullen.Each time she asked him whether something was wrong, he would brush her away, claiming that he was fine before running off.It was a Saturday, and Rosalie didn't need to go to work. She was seated on the couch with a book when Chelsea ran over, her braids swaying behind her. "Mommy, can you give me a hug?"How could Rosalie say no to her adorable little daughter? She shut the book and said, "But of course. Come on over."Rosalie opened her arms, very willing to show Chelsea affection.Chelsea crawled up onto the couch happily, sitting on Rosalie's lap and diving into her embrace.Jake happened to see it all.Rosalie noticed Jake standing a short distance away and was about to say something to him when he ran off.The smile on Rosalie's face faded as a look of worry took over.At night, Rosalie put Chelsea under Theodore's care and went to Jake, wanting to speak to him alone."Jake, what's with you recently
A gentle breeze lifted the curtains slightly in the deep of the night.Rosalie laid in Theodore's embrace, panting slightly. Her cheek leaned against his chest, feeling his heart pounding heavily, and her cheeks flushed.She never expected this day to come between her and Theodore, yet everything happened in a flash. He went to bed with her just like that, bewitched and completely infatuated with her.Although they were once husband and wife and had been intimate countless times, this felt different from the last. Things felt more intense this time around."Rose, are you happy?"Although Theodore's liver had been doing well over the last three months of recuperation, he was still worried that his fitness level might be affected before his liver was fully recovered.Rosalie gave him a slight smile. "Of course, I am. You almost crushed me."Her face flushed the moment she spoke those words. She hugged Theodore tight, feeling safe and secure.She could sense that he was telling th
"Theo, have you had a woman over the past five years?" Rosalie asked very frankly.They weren't naive young men and women but mature adults with experience in this matter.Theodore was a red-blooded young man who had his needs. Suppressing his desires, which were absolutely normal, would only jeopardize his health.Theodore was getting angry. "Am I someone like that to you, going to bed with a woman I don't love just to satisfy my physical needs?""Aren't men all like that?" Rosalie said. She didn't mean it in a scornful way but simply highlighted it as a typical observation.Lonely men and women in the city were bound to seek companionship in some places and part ways after the night.Someone as powerful and influential as Theodore wouldn't even need to go searching for someone else. Women flocked toward him like bees to honey."Why can't I be an exception?" He was in no state whatsoever to find another woman over the past five years and would always deal with his sexual desire
Time flew by, and three months later, Rosalie was fully recovered and back at work.Her colleagues welcomed her back with a bash.Everything seemed to have returned to normal.To keep Jake company, Rosalie would go back to Theodore's house every day after work. She was practically living there.Rosalie and Jake's relationship had improved over time, and they were looking more and more like they were truly mother and son.Everything was going well.At night, the four of them sat around the dining table and chatted happily with each other.After dinner, Rosalie and Theodore sat in the living room chatting. She suddenly noticed a book on the table. It looked so familiar that it caught her eye.It was the book she had written. Over the past five years, not only was she busy learning and working, but she also managed to write the book she had conceptualized and even gotten it published. However, this book was only available in Briusian and not exported to Blencalgo.Rosalie's book